Package For Holding A Product On A Display Peg

ABSTRACT

A package for holding and displaying a consumer product on a peg has a front panel defining a thru opening to receive the peg. The thru opening has a first tab and a second tab. The first tab extends from a first edge of the thru opening and has a conductive bottom edge. The second tab extends from a second edge of the thru opening and has a conductive bottom edge spaced apart from the conductive bottom edge of the first tab. The conductive bottom edge of the first and second tabs are in electrical contact with the peg.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a package for holding and displaying a product on a display peg, where a thru opening of the package is configured to be in electrical contact with the display peg.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional displays, such as point-of-purchase displays having a base pegboard and display hardware, contain functional capability primarily limited to the placement of shelves, racks, and corresponding pegs upon which products are placed and displayed. Such conventional point-of-purchase displays offer little to no sales or inventory data feedback to the retailer or product manufacturer.

Interactive display systems for point-of-purchase scenarios have been developed to provide more functionality than conventional displays. These interactive display systems have all the functionality of traditional displays, but also include a power distribution system with printed or molded conductive ink traces on, in, or around the display unit, to provide additional functionality. One example of the additional functionality is automatic sensing of product on the peg to track stocked inventory. The feedback data from the automatic sensing capability can be used for inventory control, theft notification, misplaced product notification, and the like.

In a particular type of these interactive display systems, the peg board (also called the backer board) normally associated with a display has a printed conductive ink trace applied to the front or back of the peg board. When the fixture hooks (pegs), shelves, or other elements are plugged into the peg board, they come in contact with the proper power traces on the back or front side, allowing for the proper contact and distribution of a positive and negative contact, thereby creating a powered component. That is, the pegs and/or the shelves acquire current from the peg board. Packages hung on the pegs of the interactive display system include resistive elements that make electrical contact with each of the conductive terminals on the pegs. From the conductive loop, the interactive display system components are able to determine the identity of the product based on the resistance value of the package. The system can then alert the retailer to low or out-of-stock inventory on a peg, that the wrong product has been placed on the peg, and the like.

In order for such interactive display systems to function properly (e.g., provide consistent and accurate feedback), there must be complete and consistent electrical contact between the peg and the product package, otherwise the stock tracking on the peg will be interrupted or, worse yet, completely absent. The package should remain in electrical contact with the peg even when it is moved on the peg, such as being bumped by moving product on adjacent pegs or when it is slid backward on the peg by the addition of more packages thereon.

The present invention seeks to further improve the electrical contact between the product package and the peg on interactive display systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a package for holding and displaying a consumer product on a peg. The package has a front panel defining a thru opening to receive the peg. The thru opening has a first tab and a second tab. The first tab extends from a first edge of the thru opening and has a conductive bottom edge. The second tab extends from a second edge of the thru opening and has a conductive bottom edge spaced apart from the conductive bottom edge of the first tab. The conductive bottom edge of the first and second tabs are in electrical contact with the peg.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an interactive product display system. The system includes an elongated display peg having a circular bottom surface, a generally flat top surface, and a pair of angled side surfaces connecting the bottom surface and the top surface, wherein the angled side surfaces are electrically conductive and the top and bottom surfaces are not electrically conductive; and a package having a front panel, defining a thru opening dimensioned to receive the elongated display peg, a first tab extending from a first edge of the thru opening, the first tab having a conductive bottom edge, a second tab extending from the second edge of the thru opening, the second tab having a conductive bottom edge spaced apart from the conductive bottom edge of the first tab, wherein the conductive bottom edge of the first and second tabs are in electrical contact with the respective angled side surfaces of the peg.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a display peg with a plurality of packages according to one possible embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the display peg of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a package according to one possible embodiment of the present invention disposed on a display peg;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a package according to an alternative possible embodiment of the present invention disposed on a display peg

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a package according to an alternative possible embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a package according to an alternative possible embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of a package according to an alternative possible embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of a package according to an alternative possible embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of a package according to an alternative possible embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a package according to one possible embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is applicable to packages in general that are used for holding and displaying product on a peg of an interactive display system.

FIG. 1 (“FIG. 1”) shows a fixture 10 for holding and displaying a consumer product. The fixture 10 can be part of a larger interactive display system. In this particular embodiment, the fixture 10 includes a peg 12 upon which a plurality of packages 14, for holding and displaying product, are disposed. Each package 14 has a thru opening 16 extending through a front panel 18. The thru openings 16 are dimensioned to receive the peg 12. As will be described in greater detail, the thru openings 16 have a unique shape configured to correspond to the shape of a top portion of the peg 12 and ensure consistent electrical contact between the packages 14 and the peg 12. Five packages and a single peg are shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, however, it will be understood that more or fewer packages may be disposed on the peg, and more than one peg could be used to support each of the packages.

FIG. 2 (“FIG. 2”) shows a cross-sectional view of the peg 12 taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1. The peg 12 has a bottom surface 20, a top surface 22, and a pair of angled side surfaces 24. The bottom surface has a generally semicircular shape, while the top surface 22 is generally flat and forms a generally trapezoidal shape with the angled side surfaces 24. The pair of angled side surfaces 24 connect the bottom surface 20 and the top surface 22. In one embodiment, the angled side surfaces 24 are electrically conductive and the top 22 and bottom surfaces 20 are not. In another embodiment, the angled side surfaces 24 and the top surface 22 are electrically conductive and the bottom surface 20 is not. In still another embodiment, the angled side surfaces, the top surface 22 and the bottom surface 20 are all electrically conductive.

FIG. 3 (“FIG. 3”) shows a partial perspective view of a package 300 disposed on a peg 302. The package 300 includes a thru opening 304 dimensioned to receive the peg 302. The thru opening 304 includes a first tab 306 extending from a first edge 308 and a second tab 310 extending from a second edge 312 of the thru opening. Each of the first tab 306 and the second tab 310 have a conductive bottom edge 313 and 314, respectively. In another possible embodiment, both the bottom edge and a portion or a substantial portion of each tab itself may be electrically conductive. The conductive bottom edges 313 and 314 are configured to be in electrical contact with the angled side surfaces 316 of the peg 302. As such, the second tab 310 is spaced apart from the first tab 306. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the first and second tabs are spaced such that a substantial portion, but not all, of the bottom edge of each tab is in electrical contact with each angled side surface of the peg. It will be understood, however, that more or less of the bottom edge of each tab may be in electrical contact with each angled side surface, so long as the contact is sufficient for the flow of electrical current between the package 300 and the peg 302. In one embodiment the width of each tab is about 0.1 millimeters (“mm”) to about 3 mm, specifically about 0.25 mm to about 2 mm, and more specifically about 0.5 mm to about 1 mm.

In order to ensure optimal electrical contact between the package 300 and the peg 302, the first tab 306 and the second tab 310 extend from the first edge 308 and the second edge 312, respectively, at an angle generally equal to the angle of the side surfaces 316. In one embodiment, the first and second tabs have an included angle of about 0 degrees to about 90 degrees, specifically about 15 degrees to about 75 degrees, and more specifically about 35 degrees to about 55 degrees.

The thru opening 304 can be defined in any suitable location on the package 300. For example (as shown in FIG. 1), the front panel defines the thru opening. In an alternative embodiment, the back panel can define the thru opening. In still another embodiment, a separate panel defining the thru opening can be affixed to the package 300. As shown in FIG. 3, the thru opening 304 is dimensioned to receive the peg, such that the thru-opening diameter is greater than that of the peg 302. This enables the package 300 to be easily placed on, removed from, or slid along the peg 302 with minimal resistance, because the only contact between the thru opening 304 and the peg 302 is at the first and second tab positions. The panel defining the thru opening 304 has a circular upper edge 318 and a circular bottom edge 320, and the radius of the circular upper edge 318 is less than the radius of the circular bottom edge 320.

FIG. 4 (“FIG. 4”) shows a partial perspective view of another possible embodiment of a package 400 disposed on a peg 402. The package 400 includes a thru opening 404 dimensioned to receive the peg 402. The thru opening 404 includes a first tab 406 extending from a first edge 408 and a second tab 410 extending from a second edge 412 of the thru opening. Each of the first tab 406 and the second tab 410 have a conductive bottom edge 413 and 414, respectively. The conductive bottom edges 413 and 414 are configured to be in electrical contact with the angled side surfaces 416 of the peg 402. As such, the second tab 410 is spaced apart from the first tab 406. The first tab 406 and the second tab 410 further have a neck region 418 and 420, respectively, extending to an enlarged distal end 422 and 424, respectively. The neck regions 418 and 420 can provide flexibility to the tabs, which can aid in ensuring the tabs remain in electrical contact with the peg 402 when the package 400 is moving, such as in a depth direction along the length of the peg.

It is the be understood that the packages of FIGS. 3 and 4, particularly the thru-opening designs, are two embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to be limiting in their configuration. The thru-opening and tab designs may come in any of various shapes and sizes that are suitable for ensuring a stable electrical connection between the package and the peg. For example, FIG. 5 (FIG. 5) illustrates another embodiment of a package 500 having a thru opening 502 dimensioned to receive a peg (not shown). Like the packages of the FIGS. 3 and 4, the thru opening 502 includes a first tab 504 and a second tab 506, but in this embodiment, rather than a generally straight conductive bottom edge on each tab, the first tab 504 and second 506 include curved bottom edges 508 and 510, respectively.

In some cases, the extra material provided by the curved conductive bottom edge of the tabs can aid in electrical contact with the flat portions of the peg. FIG. 6 (FIG. 6) illustrates still another embodiment of a package 600 having a thru opening 602 dimensioned to receive a peg (not shown). Again, the thru opening 602 includes a first tab 604 and a second tab 606, but in this embodiment, rather than a single point of contact between the conductive bottom edge of each tab, the first tab 604 and the second tab 606 each include a plurality of fingers 608 and 610, respectively. The fingers may generally increase the flexibility of the tabs thereby making the package easier to slide back and forth on the peg while still maintaining suitable electrical connection between the conductive edges of the fingers and the conductive portions of the peg. Similarly, FIG. 7 (FIG. 7) illustrates yet another embodiment of a package 700 having a thru opening 702 dimensioned to receive a peg (not shown). Again, the thru opening 702 includes a first tab 704 and a second tab 706. Each of the first and second tabs have a conductive edge 708 and 710, respectively. Each tab also has a tear relief 712 and 714, respectively, extending from a conductive edge into a portion of each tab. The tear reliefs are configured to split the tab when moved on the peg to aid in the bending of the tabs.

Again, this feature of the tabs may generally assist in ensuring suitable electrical connection between the conductive edges of the fingers and the conductive portions of the peg during movement of the package. While FIG. 7 shows the tear reliefs 712, 714 as generally through the center of the tabs 704, 706, it is to be understood that the tear relief could be located anywhere on the tabs or that more than one tear relief per tab could be used. Moreover, the tear reliefs could be located adjacent to one or both sides of the tabs, extending from the thru-opening into the package, rather than being disposed on the tabs themselves.

FIG. 8 (FIG. 8) is illustrates another possible embodiment of package 800 having a thru-opening 802 dimensioned to receive a peg (not shown). In this embodiment, the thru-opening 802 has plurality of tabs 804 extending from an edge 806 of the thru opening. FIG. 8 shows five tabs 804, however, it will be understood that more or fewer tabs may be present in the thru-opening 802. At least two of the plurality of tabs include conductive bottom edges 808 and 810 configured to be in electrical contact with conductive surfaces of the peg. In this thru-opening configuration, the plurality of tabs 804 form an aperture 812 through which the peg passes having a generally smaller diameter than the peg. In this fashion, the plurality of tabs bend as the package 800 is placed on the peg and the at least two conductive tabs are in stable electrical connection with the peg.

As mentioned above, like the tabs, the thru-opening of the package can have any shape and design suitable for hanging the package on a peg. FIG. 9 (FIG. 9) illustrates a package 900 having a thru-opening 902 dimensioned to receive a peg (not shown). The thru-opening 902, rather than being completely enclosed as in the previous embodiments, is open on at least one side forming a J-hook. In this regard, the package 900 can be placed on the peg from the side as well as from the front of the peg. The thru-opening 902 further includes at least two tabs 904 and 906, each having conductive edges configured to be in electrical contact with a conductive portion of the peg. Any of the previously described tab designs can also be used with the J-hook configuration of the thru-opening 902 of the package 900.

The electrically conductive portions of the package and peg, for example the bottom edges and the angled side surfaces, respectively, are formed by the presence of an electrically conductive ink or film disposed in or on those portions. The peg itself may be formed from a polymeric material. A portion or the entire circumference of the peg may be coated with a dielectric or a nonconductive insulating material. The electrically conductive portions (i.e., a sensor) can be attached to or formed as a coating along one or more surfaces of the circumference of the peg. The peg may also be covered with a flexible sleeve. The flexible sleeve may be adhesive backed in order to remain affixed to the peg. The flexible sleeve can completely surround the peg core, or it can cover a top portion (e.g. the top surface and the angled side surfaces), or it can cover just the angled side surfaces. The flexible sleeve may cover the entire length of the peg or it may cover only a portion of the length. One or more electrically conductive wires may be embedded in the flexible sleeve. The flexible sleeve of the peg may then function as an electrically conductive terminal for contacting a package hung on the peg and the interactive display system.

The embedded electrical terminals of the flexible sleeve can be printed using conductive inks or conventional circuitry. In another embodiment, conductive ink traces can be in-molded into the electrically conductive portions of the peg. In-molding conductive ink is known in the art and generally involves placing a preformed circuit on a thermoformable structure. Whether in-molding or affixing a flexible sleeve, the conductive ink traces can be printed using a variety of processes used to deposit the various ink layers, including, without limitation, screen printing, gravure printing, flexographic printing, off-set printing, intaglio printing, letter press printing, pad printing, ink jet printing, bubble jet printing, and the like.

Similarly, the package may include one or more resistive elements. Like the electrical terminals of the peg, the resistive element may be formed using conductive inks. The resistive element may be formed, printed, or otherwise affixed onto the package on a portion of the package which contacts the peg when hung thereon, such as, for example, the first and second tabs of the package thru opening. The conductive ink traces of the resistive element complete an electrical connection between the terminals of the peg. The conductive ink can be solid on the tabs, or the conductive ink can form a hatched, serpentine, or other suitable pattern on the tab that reduces conductive ink usage compared to a solid pattern. FIG. 10 (“FIG. 10”) shows an embodiment of a package 1000 with a back panel 1002 defining a thru opening 1004. The thru opening 1004 includes a first tab 1006 and a second tab 1008 configured for electrical contact with a peg (not shown). A resistive element 1010 is disposed, whether by printing or affixing, on the back panel 1002. The conductive ink trace terminals 1012 and 1014 extend down the first and second tabs providing electrical contact points at least at the bottom edge of each tab. When the tabs of the package 1000 are in contact with the peg, an electrically conductive loop is formed.

The resistive element of the thru opening can have a resistance of about 1 k ohm to about 200 k ohm, specifically about 15 k ohm to about 150 k ohm, and more specifically about 30 k ohm to about 100 k ohm. The gravitational force exerted on the package hanging from the peg generally provides a reliable connection along the angled side surfaces of the peg, given the novel configuration of the thru opening and the corresponding peg dimensions. The weight of the package and the product contents are effective in applying the force through the first and second tabs to the peg surface(s). In one embodiment, the weight of the package is about 5 grams (“g”) to 500 g, specifically about 15 g to about 150 g, and more specifically about 30 g to 95 g.

As mentioned previously, the peg and package described herein can together form part of an interactive product display system (an example of which is illustrated in FIG. 1). While the embodiments shown herein have comprised packages with a single thru opening hung on a single peg, it will be understood that more thru openings and more pegs can be used. For example, heavier packages than described above might require two or more pegs for support, rather than simply a larger diameter peg. As such, the package would, obviously, have the same number of thru openings as the number of pegs being used. Each peg and each thru opening may be in electrical contact and close a circuit therebetween, or only one pair of the multiple peg and thru openings may be in electrical contact. Moreover, a peg may have multiple segments along its depth/length, such that each segment has a different electrical current running across that segment.

The interactive product display systems provide automatic sensing of product on the peg to track stocked inventory. The feedback data from the automatic sensing capability can be used for inventory control, theft notification, misplaced product notification, and the like. For example, each package can have a preselected resistivity, which represents a particular product in the package. When multiple packages of the same product are placed on the peg, the system can determine the number of packages on the peg by the amount of electrical current traveling between the terminals given a known voltage drop. Moreover, the interactive product display system may be capable of determining when a package is placed on the wrong peg. For example, if a package of product A and a package of product B were placed on the same peg, the system would recognize that one of the packages is on the wrong peg, because the electrical current traveling on the peg would not be what the system expects to detect.

While the above examples relate specifically to packages having resistive elements, the present disclosure may also apply to packages RC values or capacitive values. Moreover, the packages can include a radio frequency identifier (“RFID”). The RFIC may be passive RFID and it may be chipless RFID, as well. In some embodiments, the RFID may be electrically coupled to the resistive element of the package.

These valuable features of the interactive product display system, as well as others not specifically mentioned, are only useful as long as there is complete and consistent electrical contact between the package and the peg. The specific package and peg features described herein ensure such an electrical connection exists and present a significant improvement over conventional package/peg interaction. Due to their unique design, the packages of the present invention can remain in electrical contact with the peg even when the package is moved on the peg, such as being bumped by moving product on adjacent pegs, disrupted by a consumer, or slid forward/backward on the peg by a retailer adding or removing packages thereon.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A package for holding and displaying a product on a peg comprising: a front panel, defining a thru opening dimensioned to receive the peg; a first tab extending from a first edge of the thru opening, the first tab having a conductive bottom edge; a second tab extending from a second edge of the thru opening, the second tab having a conductive bottom edge spaced apart from the conductive bottom edge of the first tab, wherein the conductive bottom edge of the first and second tabs are in electrical contact with the peg.
 2. The package of claim 1, wherein the front panel defining the thru opening has a circular bottom edge.
 3. The package of claim 2, wherein the front panel defining the thru opening has a circular upper edge.
 4. The package of claim 3, wherein the circular upper edge has a radius that is less than a radius of the circular bottom edge.
 5. The package of claim 1, wherein the conductive bottom edge of at least the first tab and the second tab comprises a conductive ink trace.
 6. The package of claim 1, wherein the conductive bottom edge of at least the first tab and the second tab comprises a conductive wire.
 7. The package of claim 1, wherein the conductive bottom edge of the first tab and the conductive bottom edge of the second tab form an electrically conductive loop.
 8. The package of claim 7, wherein the electrically conductive loop has a resistance of about 1 k ohms to about 200 k ohms.
 9. The package of claim 1, where each of the first tab and the second tab have a neck region extending to an enlarged distal end.
 10. The package of claim 1, wherein the first and second tabs have an included angle of about 0 degrees to about 90 degrees.
 11. The package of claim 1, wherein the conductive bottom edge of the first tab and the conductive bottom edge of the second tab are curved.
 12. The package of claim 1, wherein the conductive bottom edge of the first tab and the conductive bottom edge of the second tab include a plurality of fingers.
 13. The package of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the first tab and the second tab comprises a tear relief.
 14. The package of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the thru-opening is less than a diameter of the peg.
 15. An interactive product display system comprising: an elongated display peg having a circular bottom surface, a generally flat top surface, and a pair of angled side surfaces connecting the bottom surface and the top surface, wherein the angled side surfaces are electrically conductive and the top and bottom surfaces are not electrically conductive; and a package having a front panel, defining a thru opening dimensioned to receive the elongated display peg, a first tab extending from a first edge of the thru opening, the first tab having a conductive bottom edge, a second tab extending from the second edge of the thru opening, the second tab having a conductive bottom edge spaced apart from the conductive bottom edge of the first tab, wherein the conductive bottom edge of the first and second tabs are in electrical contact with the respective angled side surfaces of the peg.
 16. The display system of claim 15, wherein the angled side surfaces each comprises a conductive ink trace.
 17. The display system of claim 15, wherein the front panel defining the thru opening has a circular bottom edge.
 18. The display system of claim 17, wherein the front panel defining the thru opening has a circular upper edge.
 19. The display system of claim 15, wherein the conductive bottom edges of the first and second tabs close a circuit between the angled side surfaces of the peg.
 20. The display system of claim 15, wherein the conductive bottom edge of the first tab and the conductive bottom edge of the second tab form an electrically conductive loop with the angled side surfaces of the peg. 